Faceless One

The Faceless One is an enigma, a figure shrouded in mystery and deception. No records exist of his past, and even the gods seem unable to trace his origins. He is known only by his mastery of sangromancy, the rare and forbidden school of blood magic, allowing him to manipulate life essence, control the flow of power through sacrifice, and twist the very fabric of mortality to serve his will. Whether he is a mortal, an undying sorcerer, or something far worse, none can say. What is certain is that his influence stretches far beyond what most dare to imagine.  

The Ebon Triad and the High Council

  The Faceless One is believed to be far more than just a member of the Ebon Triad—he is thought to report only to its governing body, the High Council. Though little is known about the Council itself, many suspect that it is made up of the most powerful and secretive figures in the cult, each representing one of the dark gods the Triad claims to serve: Asmodeus, Dahak, and Norgorber.   To outsiders, the Ebon Triad appears fractured, its worshipers divided into sects that rarely work together. Yet those who look deeper see an intricate design, guided by an unseen force. The Faceless One is not just an agent of the Triad—he is a force within it, weaving its seemingly disparate ambitions into a single, cohesive plan. His role is not entirely understood, but many believe that his sangromantic rituals play a vital role in the cult’s grand design, tying together prophecies, sacrifices, and dark magic in pursuit of an unknown goal.  

The Bloodstone Phylacteries and the Ruinlords' Pursuit

  The Ruinlords, a band of adventurers who confronted the Ebon Triad, were believed to have struck a fatal blow against the Faceless One, destroying the Dark Cathedral where he once held power beneath the town of Ravengro. However, true to his nature, he had already prepared for such an outcome. His essence retreated into a bloodstone phylactery, a cursed relic that bound his spirit to a new host.   His attempt to reclaim his body through a gnome magician named Clover Brightfoot failed due to a flaw in the phylactery, but his spirit found another anchor in the dwarven mine boss Ragnolin Dourstone. The Faceless One claimed the dwarf’s body, reforming himself once more, and fled into the Mistmarsh Swamp, seeking refuge in a hidden laboratory beneath the lair of Gruul Bloodfang, a feared orc warlord.   Yet again, the Ruinlords pursued him, forcing him to abandon his sanctuary before he could fully restore his influence. From that point forward, the Faceless One became a phantom of strategy and survival, never staying in one place for long, always moving in the shadows, keeping his web of deception intact while pushing forward his true purpose—one that remains as mysterious as the sorcerer himself.   To those who believe him dead, the truth remains hidden: the Faceless One does not die—he endures, waiting, planning, and ensuring that his vengeance will be absolute.